Enteropathy associated T-cell lymphoma resulting in restrictive cardiomyopathy and mimicking myocardial infarction.

A 64-year-old woman was referred with a short history of abdominal pain, anorexia and weight loss. Investigations revealed a probable enteropathy associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL). Further investigations revealed evidence of what appeared to be a myocardial infarction. After going through laparoscopy to obtain diagnostic tissue, the patient developed cardiogenic shock which proved refractory to medical therapy. Postmortem examination revealed diffuse abdominal lymphoma consistent with EATL. Surprisingly, there was extensive infiltration of the myocardium. This report demonstrates an unusual pathology resulting from EATL and discusses the limited evidence relating to cardiac involvement of this disease.